Although Ringling Brothers recently said it will stop using elephants in traveling shows, it plans to work them for the next three years, which is unacceptable.

Sadly, circuses have a long history of abusing, neglecting and overworking their animal performers. Behind the glamour and spectacle, hidden from the crowds, the animals are kept in pitiful conditions and treated without any respect for their physical, social and mental needs.

Elephants are particularly abused. They begin training as calves, separated young from their mothers, beaten, prodded with sharp metal hooks (called “bullhooks”), and electrocuted with charged wands to make them submissive and to force them into uncomfortable and unnatural physical poses.

As gigantic and intelligent animals, elephants require tremendous space for mental and physical stimulation. Wild elephants walk up to 30 miles every day, but circus elephants live their entire lives chained to the floor, often in the dark and standing in their own excrement.

It is up to us to speak for these victims of abuse and to create a better world for all earthlings. Thank you for your support!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is traveling the state this fall seeking public comments to help determine what values and priorities will drive the department over the next several years.

These meetings will help identify changes in WDFW’s operations and services and help shape policy, budget and fee proposals. The department’s press release says it wants to strengthen relationships with “anglers, hungers, outdoor recreation groups and others interested in fish and wildlife in Washington.”

Each meeting will include a brief presentation by a WDWF regional director, then participants will break into small groups to chat with department representatives. The department will summarize the comments and suggestions later this year.

Here’s a photo of WDFW Director Jim Unsworth, who started in January. He’s the one who’s making the effort to ask for feedback, which is commendable. Hi, Jim!

Last spring, in a two-minute exchange without prior notice to the public, members of the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to raise the cougar-hunting quota by 50 to 100 percent in areas of Washington.

Bigger quotas mean more cougars will die. The quotas are in areas where wolves also live, and will allow trophy hunters to devastate Washington cougars.

Studies show that over-hunting cougars increases both human conflicts and livestock depredations and is a poor way to manage wildlife.

Please call Gov. Inslee immediately at 360-902-4111 and ask him to reverse this harmful decision made by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

After you call (please don’t skip that crucial step), you can click this link for more info, and to submit a follow-up letter.

By and large, Washingtonians disapprove of the inhumane methods of trophy hunting. This expansion of cougar killing goes against the wishes of Washington voters.

It’s also World Day for Farmed Animals, and even if you’re protesting at UW or in Everett, there are things you can do to acknowledge the day and make a difference for pigs, cows, chickens and other farmed animals:

The 100-Brochure Challenge: Leafleting makes a huge difference in spreading awareness about farmed animals. Last year, people passed out 320,000 leaflets in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom on World Day for Farmed Animals. The goal this year is 350,000 leaflets. Register here.

Fast Against Slaughter: More than 12,400 people in 96 countries fasted last Oct. 2 in solidarity with the billions of farmed animals who are starved as they are transported to slaughter. This year, the pledge is translated into 24 languages. Take the pledge here.

Break the Fast Breakfast: This one’s on October 3 — a meet-up bringing together people who fasted the day before. It’s a great way to build community and solidarity. Register for breakfast here.

The rodeo and the circus are coming to Puget Sound over the next few weeks — two great opportunities to educate people about the cruelty involved in using animals for public entertainment.

This rodeo is this weekend at the state fair in Puyallup. Rodeos commonly use something called a “hotshot” — an electrical jolt — to get animals riled up while they’re in the chute. While in the ring, the animals often wear “bucking straps” that burn their abdomens and groins and make them buck. That’s what you can’t see; then there’s calf roping and other obvious torments.

You can help educate people who aren’t aware of the pain, injury and deaths caused by rodeos by attending a demo this weekend:

When: Saturday, Sept. 12, noon to 2 p.m.

Where: Meet at corner of 9th Ave SW & 4th St SW, Puyallup WA

The circus is also returning this fall, at shows in Kent and Everett.

Its cruelties are well-documented, and earlier this year Ringling Brothers said it will stop using elephants in shows — although the animals will be retired to Ringling’s breeding facility. Ringling also uses big cats and other animals in its shows (it does not bring the big cats to Puget Sound).

You can help educate people about the torment that animals suffer in the circus at these demos just before each circus show in September and October:

The group No New Animal Lab is organizing another important event: the second March on the University of Washington on Friday, October 2nd at 2 pm.

The timing lines up with the first week of the term, and students and faculty will be returning to campus. Let’s show them what’s going on at their school.

At the first march, back in April, 500 people marched through the UW campus and neighboring streets to show their support for the animals and against UW and Skanska’s plans. It was a watershed moment for the animal liberation movement.

This time, on October 2nd, let’s increase the numbers. People of all ages and from all walks of life will be traveling from around the country to join the match and show their solidarity.

Please share the event widely on social media—Facebook, twitter, Instagram—and use the hashtags #MarchOnUW and #NoNewAnimalLab to spread the word and encourage people to attend.

Calendar

January2019

NARN's board of directors meets monthly to discuss our campaigns and administrative issues. Guests are welcome to attend if we have enough time on our agenda.

If you wish to have an agenda item added to the NARN Board Meeting, please email info@narn.org at least a day in advance. You can also send us a message on Facebook anytime or even the day of the meeting and we'll get back to you. All NARN Board Meetings are held in Seattle.

Join local activists to help educate the public about the dangers of purchasing dogs from places like Puppyland. Puppyland is a new store in Puyallup that sells puppies from breeders.

The demo is until 3pm, but don't feel that you have to be there the entire time. Come for an hour or two to help hand out fliers or hold a sign.

This is a peaceful demonstration, inspired by our desire to speak out against the dangers of allowing businesses like Puppyland to exist in our communities. Join us in providing free, educational information to the public about the dangers of supporting backyard breeding practices and puppy mills, the importance of spaying and neutering pets, the time and money it takes to responsibly care for a living creature, and the positive effects of screening pet owners through application processes.

For updates see the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2093159060741059/

Come join us for a delicious brunch at the fabulous Celest Cafe AND write some letters for animals.

NARN provides the stationery, pens, stamps, sample letters, and ideas for what to write -- just bring yourself. You can even bring your laptop if you'd prefer to type or email your letters!

Why letter writing? Letter writing is a simple way to make change for the animals! At our letter writing events, we write for many different reasons: opposition to the creation of new animal laboratories, support for sending animals to sanctuary, promotion of vegan events and issues through letters to the media, and raising the spirits of activists and comrades who have been jailed for their pro-animal and political actions!

Join local activists to help educate the public about the dangers of purchasing dogs from places like Puppyland. Puppyland is a new store in Puyallup that sells puppies from breeders.

The demo is until 6pm, but don't feel that you have to be there the entire time. Come for an hour or two to help hand out fliers or hold a sign.

This is a peaceful demonstration, inspired by their desire to speak out against the dangers of allowing businesses like Puppyland to exist in our communities. Join them in providing free, educational information to the public

For updates see the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/512061562622307/

The University of Washington's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will be meeting to discuss various research protocols (study designs). This is your chance to voice your opinion about the research on animals that goes on at the UW. Please come and speak for the animals!
The meetings are held at the South Campus Center; Room #342 (in between San Juan Road & Columbia Road); behind the Magnuson Health Sciences Center (1925 N.E. Pacific St) )
http://www.washington.edu/maps/

Unfortunately, they frequently re-schedule or cancel their meetings in an attempt to avoid the public, so please call the Public Affairs Office at 206-543-9180 to make sure the meeting is still happening at the given time.
You can also check out their calendar here (copy & paste link into your browser)
http://oaw.washington.edu/iacuc-meeting-schedule/

This month we will be checking out Travelers Thali House. They have tons of vegan options. See their menu here:
http://www.travelersthalihouse.com/Menu102014.html
The Social Discussion Group is a casual event. Drinkers and non-drinkers are welcome, and you don't have to be vegetarian to participate. We hope you'll join us! Questions? Contact rachel[at]narn[dot]org

Join local activists to help educate the public about the dangers of purchasing dogs from places like Puppyland. Puppyland is a new store in Puyallup that sells puppies from breeders.

The demo is until 3pm, but don't feel that you have to be there the entire time. Come for an hour or two to help hand out fliers or hold a sign.

This is a peaceful demonstration, inspired by their desire to speak out against the dangers of allowing businesses like Puppyland to exist in our communities. Join them in providing free, educational information to the public

For updates see the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/406570843449273/

La Cocina School at El Centro de la Raza will be offering a tasty Vegan Tamales Cooking Class in partnership with the Food Empowerment Project! Now is your chance to learn how to make vegan tamales from a master tamalera! The tamales are prepared in the handmade and traditional fashion using cultural ingredients. Sweet sangrias, beer and wine will also be served and is included in the ticket price.

Class will begin promptly at 10:00 AM in the kitchen at El Centro de la Raza. Classes typically take 2.5 to 3 hours long. All cooking supplies and ingredients will be provided, but please bring your own apron.

The money for the La Cocina School at El Centro de la Raza Latin Cooking Classes go to fund El Centro de la Raza's Senior programs.

For updates on this event see
https://www.facebook.com/events/2404477662895760/